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Spindrift 2 Abandons Record Attempt

As we mentioned in Friday’s ‘Lectronic Latitude, Yann Guichard, the French skipper of the Swiss maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2, contacted his technical team ashore to report damage to the structure of the starboard rudder. Spindrift Racing was challenging for the Jules Verne Trophy, a nonstop round-the-world crewed record.

Spindrift 2 starboard ama
Spindrift 2’s starboard rudder, as photographed when it was intact.
© 2019 Chris Schmid / Spindrift Racing

Later, in daylight, the team made a full assessment of the damage and possible repairs. Reluctantly, they concluded that they would be unable to make the necessary repairs without compromising the safety and performance of the 132-ft tri. “Because of this technical problem, we have no choice but to stop this record attempt. It is a huge disappointment to all of the crew. We are now heading to the southeast coast of Australia and expect to reach there in the next four days,” confirmed the 44-year-old Guichard.

“I share the heartbreak of #Spindrift 2’s crew,” tweeted team co-founder Dona Bertarelli, “especially after such a promising start. So proud of them taking on the world’s greatest challenges. Wishing them safe as they sail to Perth and counting the minutes until I see my husband [Yann] and son again.” The crew expect to arrive in Perth on Wednesday morning. Bertarelli’s 21-year-old son, Duncan Späth, is a helmsman and the youngest member of the 12-man crew.

1 Comment

  1. bruce adornato 5 years ago

    Thanks CG for rescuing those three men on the 20 foot sloop BUT… I am surprised they didnt tow the boat out of the channel. Seems like a pretty bad hazard floating in the dark, probably with little radar reflection. A line through the forward cabin ports rigged into a bridle would have probably have worked as a towing rig or put a strobe on it?

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We want to re-rig our 30,000 lb. Kelly Peterson 46-ft sloop Esprit with synthetic — yes, plastic — standing rigging, but almost everyone we talk to (except ‘young sailors’ and ‘old sailors’ who have it already) are telling us not to!